Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B1 (thiamine monohydrate) has some scientific rationale for its potential role in supporting or alleviating depressive symptoms, though evidence is limited and not robust. Thiamine is crucial for normal neurological function, as it acts as a coenzyme in metabolic pathways essential for neuronal energy production. Thiamine deficiency has been associated with several neuropsychiatric symptoms, including depression, irritability, and cognitive impairment. In particular, severe deficiency can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which includes mood disturbances among other symptoms.

A few small clinical studies and observational reports suggest that individuals with depression may have lower thiamine levels compared to healthy controls, and supplementation may yield mood improvements in those who are deficient. For example, a small randomized controlled trial found that thiamine supplementation led to modest improvements in mood in women with low thiamine status. However, these studies are limited by small sample sizes, short durations, and often focus on populations with clear deficiency or at risk of malnutrition.

There is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend thiamine supplementation as a primary treatment for depression in the general population. Its use is mainly justified in cases of deficiency, malnutrition, or in specific populations (e.g., elderly, alcohol use disorder) where thiamine levels may be low. Overall, while there is a biochemical and limited clinical basis for its use, thiamine should not replace standard depression treatments.

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